Thursday, 13 June 2019

NORTON MP Temba Mliswa (Independent) yesterday raised a
matter of privilege with Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, over
the recent importation of a US$250 000 Lamborghini vehicle by Gokwe Nembudziya
MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena.

Although it was a private acquisition, Mliswa wanted to
know whether Wadyajena managed to import his luxurious vehicle using tax
rebates enjoyed by legislators.

“While MPs enjoy tax rebates on vehicles, it is important
to understand what kind of vehicles MPs are entitled to,” Mliswa said.

“Are MPs entitled to vehicles that can get to their
constituencies and not Lamborghinis, because a Lamborghini doesn’t get to rural
constituencies? The public are now asking questions about the vehicle and your
guidance, Mr Speaker, is sought on the types of vehicles we must get as MPs,”
he said.

This did not augur well with Wadyajena who shouted back at
Mliswa, saying: “You are an embarrassment. Why are you so jealous?”

Mudenda then ruled that if Mliswa needed clarity on which
type of vehicles MPs could import on tax rebates, then he should approach
Parliament administration to get guidance.

In an unrelated issue, Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba
asked the Speaker to send a delegation of 10 opposition MPs and 10 ruling party
MPs to South Africa to compare prices.

Chinotimba claimed that goods were generally cheaper in
Zimbabwe than in South Africa, saying the only problem was workers’ poor
salaries.

“Our diesel at ZWL$5,07 is cheaper than in South Africa
where diesel costs R16 per litre. It means our diesel is cheaper by far and
people outside the country are coming to buy our fuel.A loaf of bread in South
Africa costs R15, while ours costs ZWL$3. What I have noticed is that our
salaries are low and are being rated at 1:1 to the United States dollar,”
Chinotimba said. Newsday